"Japan Likely to Delay Participation as Observer in Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty... Concerns Over Declining Trust in US"

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly coordinating to postpone participation as an observer at the upcoming Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) state parties meeting to be held in the United States this March, according to a report by Yomiuri Shimbun on the 25th.

According to the report, the hibakusha organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, 'Nihon Hidankyo' (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), along with the coalition ruling party Komeito, had requested participation as a TPNW observer. However, Prime Minister Ishiba is expected to delay participation considering the severe security environment.

Yomiuri stated, "Considering the importance of deterrence centered on the U.S. 'nuclear umbrella,' a realistic response was deemed appropriate," adding, "If Japan participates as an observer in the TPNW meeting, it could undermine trust in the United States and cause neighboring countries to mistakenly believe that 'Japan does not seek defense by U.S. nuclear weapons.' The Prime Minister concluded that postponement aligns with national interests."

Prime Minister Ishiba Heading to the Korea-Japan Summit Venue
(Lima [Peru] = Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Haein = Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan, is entering a hotel in Lima, Peru, on the 16th (local time) for the Korea-Japan summit. 2024.11.17
hihong@yna.co.kr
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The TPNW is a treaty that prohibits the development and use of nuclear weapons, and nuclear-armed states do not participate. Observers are countries that have not joined the treaty but attend the meetings.

Earlier, Prime Minister Ishiba did not give a definitive answer to Nihon Hidankyo’s repeated requests for TPNW observer participation and hinted that participation is practically difficult, emphasizing the severe security environment. He maintained a cautious stance, stating the need to review the German case, which has experience participating as a TPNW observer.

Japanese government spokesperson and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi mentioned at a press conference on the 8th, "We are verifying without preconceptions what response is appropriate in a realistic and practical manner, considering the situations of other observer countries as well."